2013 Game Changer: Christopher Winkelspecht

Christopher Winkelspecht says that the most rewarding part of his career is seeing leaders who understand the importance of employee recognition “achieve great performance and engagement.”

As director of recognition strategic initiatives at Express Scripts Holding Co., the pharmacy benefit manager, Winkelspecht, 35, oversees a team of employees and consultants to develop and implement employee recognition and appreciation programs for the company’s 30,000 workers.

In that role he helped design and implement an employee recognition program called Recognition Rx after the company acquired Medco Health Solutions in 2012.

“With his rich and diverse background in consulting, academia, research and corporate roles, Chris brings a wealth of experience that shape his ability to lead this effort,” writes Susan Stith, senior director of diversity and inclusion at Express Scripts in her nomination letter.